NOTES AND INFORMATION Chapter 13 – Civil War

Causes of the War Slavery was a major issue  But it wasn’t the only issue There were two types of causes to the war:  Fundamental- developed over a long period of time  Immediate-came into being just before the war itself

Fundamental Causes Differences between the north and south  Economics  States’ rights  Slavery These causes led to the breakup of our nation in the 1860s.

Immediate Causes Abolitionist John Brown’s 1859 raid at Harper’s Ferry in Virginia Abraham Lincoln’s election as president of the United States in 1860 Secession of southern states

Republicans Supported high tariffs (taxes) Free land in the West Abolishing slavery in America

Georgia’s Reaction Georgian’s were shocked by Lincoln’s win in the election of Governor Brown predicted that within 25 years of Lincoln’s election the south would be in utter ruin and slavery would be abolished. On January 16, 1861, delegates met in Milledgeville for a secession convention Alexander Stephens wanted to wait and see what Lincoln would do before seceding from the Union.

Ordinance of Secession formal action or declaration taken by a special convention Repealed the ratification of the US Constitution. Declared Georgia an independent nation. It dissolved Georgia’s membership in the United States. South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union.

The Declaration of the Causes of Secession Georgia explained why it would secede from the Union.  Lincoln’s election  Limiting adding slave states to the Union  Not all Georgian’s were happy about secession.  Those from the mountain areas of Georgia were still loyal to the Union.  Slaves were not affected very much by secession (those changes would come later)

New Nation is Formed On February 4, 1861, delegates from Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Louisiana met in Montgomery, Alabama. Montgomery was the first capital of the new nation formed by the southern states that had seceded. The nation was called the Confederate States of America (or simply the Confederacy). Jefferson Davis- president. Alexander Stephens-vice-president. Adopted in 1861, new Confederate flag referred to as the Stars and Bars.

New Nation = New Constitution Thomas R. R. Cobb –Athens lawyer and UGA professor drafted new constitution. Modeled the Confederate Constitution after the US Constitution. Gave individual states more power than the central government. Prohibited Confederate Congress from passing any anti-slavery laws. South prepared for a “short” war – north did not think war would last long either.

Fighting Begins Union forces remained station at Fort Sumter, in Charleston, SC. Confederates wanted to take control of the base since it was in the new CSA. When Union forces refused to leave, the Confederacy opened fire and took back Fort Sumter and raised the Stars and Bars. The Civil War officially began on April 12, 1861.

Reaction to Fort Sumter Lincoln declared a naval blockade of all southern ports. Southern states joined the Confederacy: Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, Tennessee. Confederacy then moved its capital to Richmond, Virginia because of its location, size, and resources. Four border states: Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, and Missouri-stayed in the Union. They were known as border states because they bordered free states.

Truth About the War Northerners felt they had a huge advantage in the war because of all their resources. The Civil War lasted 4 years. Over 600,000 soldiers were killed. More men were killed in Civil War than any other war. Another 400,000 were wounded.

Georgians in the War Georgian soldiers, often called “Johnny Reb” or “Rebels” would face Northern soldiers, or “Billy Yank” or “Yankees” on the battlefield. The South had superior military leadership at the beginning of the war. The South was outnumbered by northern soldiers, so a draft (law requiring civilians to join the army) was put in place.

Battle at Virginia’s Manassas Junction First major battle of Civil War. Near Bull Run Creek. Confederate forces won in a stunning upset.

The Naval Blockade Food shortages Fewer manufactured goods Higher prices on food and other goods

Slaves during the Civil War At the beginning of the war, slaves lived much as they did before. As time went on, some slaves were assigned to build forts and prisons. They also repaired railroads. They even worked as cooks and blacksmiths for the Confederate army units.

Single Bloodiest Day of the War September 17, 1862 Battle at Antietam, Maryland Neither side won Lincoln then issued the Emancipation Proclamation Document stated on January 1, 1863, all slaves in Confederate states would be freed Also welcomed all slaves to join the Union army 186,000 African Americans enlisted as Union soldiers (half came from Confederate states) 38,000 died during the Civil War

Heart of the Confederacy Georgia was the “heart of the Confederacy”  Strategic location  Extensive railroad network  Ability to supply food and equipment

Battle of Gettysburg Of over 2,000 land battles of the Civil War, the Battle of Gettysburg was the most important. July 1, 1863, it was the greatest battle ever fought on the continent of North America. Three days of terrible fighting and over 50,000 killed, wounded, or captured. Lincoln dedicated a portion of battlefield as cemetery for fallen soldiers. Delivered Gettysburg Address and pushed for preservation of the Union.

Andersonville Prison Held Union prisoners of war. Associated with horror and death. By August 1864, there were 33,000 Union prisoners. Conditions were horrible – Polluted water – Prisoners starved – Henry Wirz was prison commander – Almost 13,000 prisoners died in the prison

Battle at Chickamauga September 1863 Confederate army turned back the Union soldiers in a bloody battle. All eyes were now on Atlanta. Atlanta became the most important military target in Georgia because of its industrial and transportation resources.

Sherman’s March to the Sea Atlanta’s destruction begin in June 27 – Battle at Kennesaw Mountain-then moved onto Atlanta. Destroyed resources, especially railroads, and Confederate supplies. Sherman’s troops destroyed $100 million worth of food and other resources. Sherman’s march through Georgia ended in Savannah.

The End of the War General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse in Virginia. The Civil War officially came to an end for Georgia when Johnston surrendered to Sherman in North Carolina. The North had won the war.